Marathon Running

News about Marathon Running, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jun. 21, 2015

Keila Merino, one of nation's top ultramarathon runners, finds challenge of running equal to that of her job teaching underprivileged fourth-graders at Public School X114 in Bronx, where most students are poor, Hispanic and often still learning English. MORE

May. 14, 2015

University of California at Davis research finds, in long-term study of ultra-distance runners, that risk of injury in races longer than the standard 26.2-mile marathon is lower among runners who are older than age 50; factors for their success, even at an older age, include patience, caution and consistency of training habits. MORE

Apr. 22, 2015

International Assn of Athletics Federations petitions Court of arbitration for Sport to double two-year doping ban imposed on Boston and Chicago Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo. MORE

Apr. 19, 2015

Profile of Latino marathoner Fernando Cabada, front-runner in upcoming Boston Marathon; Cabada, whose childhood in Fresno, Calif, was filled with trauma and poverty, has transformed himself into one of best distance runners in United States. MORE

Apr. 17, 2015

North Korea allows foreign amateur runners to participate in Pyongyang Marathon, 10-kilometer race or half-marathon, all presented with great spectacle and ceremony in celebration of former leader Kim Il-sung. MORE

Apr. 2, 2015

Bethlehem Journal; Palestinian Marathon, held in Bethlehem, draws attention to constraints placed upon Palestinians via its route, which forces runners to loop back and forth to reach 26.2 miles; Palestinians do not have access to continuous 26.2 mile running route within barriers erected in city by Israel. MORE

Mar. 23, 2015

Ethiopians take first and second place in both men's and women's divisions of Rome Marathon, with Abebe Degefa finishing in 2 hours 12 minutes 23 seconds. MORE

Mar. 22, 2015

David Gendelman travel article retraces route of Prague International Marathon throughout historic city of Prague. MORE

Mar. 7, 2015

Annual Caballo Blanco ultramarathon, held every March in northwestern Mexico, is cancelled last minute because of gang violence; organizers say future of race remains in doubt. MORE

Feb. 11, 2015

Kenyan government pathologist finds that Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru died after being struck on the head with a blunt object, contradicting original finding of suicide in 2011; other marathon news noted. MORE

Dec. 27, 2014

New York Times reporter Jere Longman imagines participating in the 2015 Pyongyang Marathon in North Korea, event that the hermit nation is opening up to amateur international runners. MORE

Dec. 4, 2014

Nov. 7, 2014

Julier Macur Sports of The Times column contends that, even if it is unfair, failure of Kenyan marathon runner Rita Jeptoo to pass initial screening for endurance-boosting substance EPO raises questions about the credibility of every Kenyan winner. MORE

Nov. 4, 2014

Kenyan athletics officials say marathoner Rita Jeptoo’s positive doping test was for the blood booster erythropoietin, known as EPO. MORE

Nov. 3, 2014

Strides and running styles of elite marathon runners are measured as part of shoe design process for top manufacturers. MORE

Nov. 2, 2014

Greer Hendricks Box Seats essay contends that marathon running and marriage are not so different, with both requiring hard work, force of will and the power of the heart. MORE

Nov. 2, 2014

John Honerkamp is an online coach for New York Road Runners, group that organizes New York City Marathon; like any coach, he trains his runners, most of whom are people he has never met, and helps them make it through the surprises of day to day life that can compromise training plans; fact that most of his training is done via email is a challenge to the traditional intimate coaching relationship. MORE

Nov. 1, 2014

Kenyan distance runner Rita Jeptoo tests positive for unnamed banned substance, second high-profile female marathoner to be entangled in doping scandal in 2014; second sample of same test must come back positive for her to be found guilty of a doping violation by International Assn of Athletics Federations, track and field's international governing body. MORE

Oct. 26, 2014

Professional female marathoners are increasingly balancing having a family and their running careers; as competitive ages for women have stretched well into their 30s, runners often plan babies around key running events, with many training throughout their pregnancies. MORE

Sep. 29, 2014

Dennis Kimetto wins Berlin Marathon in 2 hours 2 minutes and 57 seconds, surpassing the world record by 26 seconds. MORE

Sep. 22, 2014

Jun. 8, 2014

Michael Clinton travel article on running a marathon in Antarctica, completing his quest for seven marathons on seven continents. MORE

Apr. 27, 2014

Corey Kilgannon Character Study column on Vajra Henderson, medical tent volunteer for Sri Chinmoy ultramarathon held in Queens; 10-day race, begun by Indian-born guru Chinmoy, draws 90 runners from all over world in search of self-transcendence. MORE

Apr. 11, 2014

Israeli government, citing security concerns, refuses to let Gazan marathon runner Nader al-Masri travel through Israel to Bethlehem, in the West Bank, to compete in the Palestine Marathon. MORE

Apr. 7, 2014

Apr. 5, 2014

Christopher Clarey On Running column examines major marathon races that will be run in next several weeks, including marathon debut of Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele in Paris. MORE

Feb. 23, 2014

Half-marathons have become more popular across the country as organizers discover that shorter races are cheaper to operate than marathons. MORE

Nov. 12, 2013

Profile of Idrissa Kargbo of Sierra Leone, who has an audacious goal of becoming an elite marathoner, though he has more than a few obstacles to overcome living in a country with no real support for runners. MORE

Nov. 12, 2013

Eye-popping running gear is brightening an otherwise staid sport; some find trend obnoxious but colorful gear is becoming ubiquitous on marathon running circuits around the world. MORE

Nov. 9, 2013

Saturday Profile of Sim Jae-Duk, South Korean shipyard worker who has become legend among marathon runners after winning 90 amateur competitions. MORE

Nov. 6, 2013

Profile of ultramarathon runner Alex Nemet, who is preparing to undertake his eighth 100-plus mile run of the year; Nemet admits that in the past he exercised little, and smoked and drank excessively. MORE

Nov. 3, 2013

Q&A features interview with tour company founder Thom Gilligan on the allure of marathons in destinations both familiar and exotic. MORE

Nov. 2, 2013

College professor David Babcock ran Kansas City Marathon while knitting a scarf over 12 feet long, breaking novel record set by Englishwoman Susie Hewer in 2008; Babcock undertook challenge after befriending Hewer over social network. MORE

Nov. 2, 2013

William C Rhoden Sports Of The Times column describes meeting with Willie Mtolo, South African hero who won the New York City Marathon in 1992; notes that Mtolo created the Mandela Day Marathon in 2011, event that is steeped in symbolic and political significance. MORE

Oct. 25, 2013

Nonprofits and organizers of charity races are worried that after years of booming, charitable fund-raising tied to marathons may be flagging, with fewer charity runners and less money raised; about 3,000 charity spots remain open for 2013 New York City Marathon, out of 8,200 available; organizers expect total raised to be $11 million to $14 million less than 2012 marathon. MORE

Sep. 30, 2013

Wilson Kipsang of Kenya sets world record of 2 hours 3 minutes 23 seconds at the Berlin Marathon; shaves 15 seconds off previous record of 2:03:38, held by his countryman Patrick Makau; Florence Kiplagat of Kenya wins women's race in 2:21:13. MORE

Sep. 27, 2013

Los Angeles is one of three finalists to host the 2016 United States Olympic marathon trials, along with Cincinnati and Houston. MORE

May. 19, 2013

Profile of Alana Hadley of Charlotte, NC, country's top 16-year-old long-distance runner who is poised to make her marathon debut in Cleveland. MORE

May. 5, 2013

Alex and Jamie Schneider, autistic, identical twins from Long Island, have completed more than 120 races, including five marathons, over the past seven years; are preparing for Long Island Marathon. MORE

Apr. 12, 2013

New Jersey Marathon, to be run May 5, had to be rerouted because of Hurricane Sandy, but the race’s executive director Joe Gigas says there was never a doubt that it would be held. MORE

Mar. 28, 2013

Only 12 ultrarunners in history have completed the 100-mile Barkley Marathon, secretive race with 60-hour time limit that crosses mountainous terrain in eastern Tennessee; enthusiasts hope forthcoming documentary does not alter race's counterculture charm. MORE

Mar. 21, 2013

Runner who collapsed and died during New York City Half marathon is identified as John Tanner of Marlborough, Mass. MORE

Mar. 16, 2013

Israeli soldier dies of heatstroke after completing half-marathon in Tel Aviv, prompting Israel's minister of public security to criticize organizers for allowing race to take place in 90 degree temperatures. MORE

Feb. 25, 2013

Feb. 23, 2013

Palestinian government is urging American sneaker company New Balance and hotel chain InterContinental Hotels Group to withdraw their sponsorship of Jerusalem Marathon, which Palestinians say violates international law because it runs through territory considered occupied by Palestinians. MORE

Nov. 20, 2012

Disabled marathon runner Eline Oidvin of Norway, who planned to run in her first New York City Marathon before Hurricane Sandy ravaged the region, competes in the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Marathon/Half Marathon with the help of guides. MORE

The Run Well training tool helps you get ready for race day with marathon training plans, and helps you track your progress. Some of the country's top running coaches have helped develop programs that will work for runners of any level.